“Ah, where are they?” said the colonel. “Never mind; we shall win yet. The Boers have done their worst to crack this hard nut, and we’ve kept them at bay, which is almost as good as a victory.”
“But surely, sir,” said Captain Roby impatiently, “help might have been sent to us before now. Has the general forgotten us?”
“No,” said the colonel decisively. “I’m afraid that he has several detachments in the same condition as we are. That’s why we do not get any help.”
“Perhaps so, sir,” said the captain bitterly; “but I’m getting very tired of this inaction.”
“That sounds like a reproach to me, Roby,” said the colonel gravely.
“Oh no, sir; I didn’t mean that,” said the captain.
“Your words expressed it sir. Come now, speak out. What would you do if you were in my place, with three strong commandos of the Boers forming a triangle with a kopje at each apex which they hold with guns?”
“I don’t want to give an opinion, sir.”
“But every one wishes that you should.—Eh, gentlemen?”
“Certainly,” came in eager chorus.